Dear All Saints whānau,
As we reach the final days of this year 2025, we pause with grateful hearts to look back on all that God has done among us. This has been a year filled with growth, generosity, resilience, learning and the quiet but steady work of the Holy Spirit shaping us into a community of hope.
I am reminded of the many moments where Christ’s light has shone brightly —through worship, prayer, hospitality, children’s ministry, home groups, shared meals, pastoral care, and the countless unseen acts of kindness that make our parish family what it is. Thank you for the way you have served, prayed, given, encouraged, and walked alongside one another. Your faithfulness is a gift.
In this holy season of Christmas, we are reminded anew of the profound mystery of God made flesh—of Emmanuel, God with us—who comes not in splendour but in humility; not distant but dwelling among His people. Who steps into our ordinary days and brings extraordinary grace. Whether this past year has been joyful, challenging, or a mixture of both, we hold fast to the promise that Christ is our light in every season. May this assurance strengthen your hearts, bring comfort to your homes, and renew your trust in the God who is ever present.
Over the coming weeks, my prayer for you is that you may find rest, renewal, and moments of deep and holy joy. May your homes be filled with Christ’s peace; may your relationships be strengthened; and may you sense the nearness of God in new and life‑giving ways. “Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). May His presence guard your hearts, refresh your spirits, and guide you gently into the year to come.
As we look toward the coming year, I entrust our parish into the gracious and tender care of God, trusting that His mercy will continue to uphold and guide us. And as we step into the new year, may we do so with quiet faith, with renewed hope, and with hearts open to follow wherever Christ lovingly leads us. We look ahead with expectation, believing that God has good things in store for All Saints—new opportunities for mission, deeper connections within our community, and continued growth in discipleship. It will be a joy to walk that journey with each of you.
Thank you for your faithfulness, your prayers, and your presence in the life of All Saints. You are deeply valued, dearly appreciated, and it is a privilege to serve alongside you in this beautiful, diverse, grace‑filled church family.
God of hope,
when your Son comes
may he find us watching and waiting in joy,
so that with his light shining upon us
we may be gathered from the darkness
into the glory of his kingdom;
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a grace‑filled, hope‑filled New Year.
With love and gratitude,
Cassandra

Kia ora, All Saints

I am sitting here thinking through the year that has been; there has been a lot in there. We had our final Parish Council meeting together this Thursday (11th Dec), where we were able to pray for and send out those stepping off as we look to welcome those stepping on in the new year. I was struck by something someone said that we are a people of hope who, no matter what, have always been a people that walk through hard times, suffering, turmoil, and at times great despair with a greater knowledge and truth that God is much bigger, larger and stable than any of these things that come at us. 

We started the year leaning into our call to be a people of prayer and calling on the spirit of God to breathe life amongst us. We walked our way through prayer in scripture, the Lord's prayer, how to pray, and what cultivating a life of prayer might look like. 

We ended the year with the baptisms of four of our Young People, what a way to end the year! Such a celebration! Please take time to have a look at the article and pictures in our weekly newsletter. 

Something we looked at during our Prayer series was a prayer tool for choosing a psalm and praying it. This will be a practice that I am taking with me to America as we travel for Christmas and a Family wedding. I wonder if you would like to join me. 

Have a look through and find a Psalm, or part of a Psalm, or a line from a Psalm that is resonating with you. Find some time each day to reflect on the same passage, let it sink into your heart, memorise it, and share it with others. 
If you need some guidance on how to pray the Psalms, I have attached a guide here for you. 

AS we find ourselves in the middle of Advent, a season of preparation for Christ's first coming, let us not forget that we are in the middle of the 1st and 2nd Advents, longing for Christ to return again and redeem the world, healing, renewing and making whole. Let us come this Sunday with hearts expectant to see God move amongst us as we look at Matthew 11:2-11, which focuses on Jesus and John the Baptist. You might like to read ahead and let this scripture ruminate over the weekend. 

I have included in the newsletter this week two Summer Book options. 
The Intimacy Deficit - Ed Shaw and The Greatest Story Ever Told - Bear Grylls. 
I am currently reading The Intimacy Deficit and highly recommend it. I think it's always encouraging as a community to go on a reading journey together. I will likely pick up some of the themes from The Intimacy Deficit next year as we gather together. I have attached a book review for each for you to look through. 

It has been a great pleasure to lead you all this year and be a part of what God has, is and will continue to do amongst us. I am proud to be on team with you all. We have wrestled and celebrated and struggled alongside each other well this year. Life is never perfect - hence our desire and hope for the 2nd Advent - but amidst all that the world brings, we seek to see Christ amongst us and others. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. I will be fervent in praying for you while I am away, and I eagerly await our return to connect back in and continue this adventure. 

Much love,